THis goes into what I mentioned earlier about this mod could get stopped dead in it's tracks if the GM Tech II scan is unable to talk with it. I ran into that problem when I tried to put a factory MP3 for a different vehicle in my Monte (turns out GM had at least 2 radios with that looked the same, had a compatible plug but one would talk to my BCM and the other did not as the databus wiring was different).

If this is like something I dealt with having a friend repair my '02 Grand Am radio, the bench test will NOT work. Sure, you can connect 12v power to OLD car radios or aftermarket units and bench test. Modern radios (like what's in my '02 Grand Am or my '04 Monte) that have an anti-theft system in them, hook 12v to it, sure, you have power but they won't even try to do anything because they are missing other parts they require from the car (some of the databus items from the BCM and such).

I'm not trying to say don't bench test it, all I'm trying to say is be prepared that it may not give you the info you need. Modern GM radios require a GM Tech II to reprogram them for your car (it has to do with the anti-theft). And don't be fooled, the radio setup where you can push some buttons get a number and call GM to unlock the radio is an older, I believe pre-2000 anti-theft system.

This mod might work, but it will certainly have it's moments of trial and error. And if I were to place a bet, it requires a GM Tech II. You'll need to work with someone who has a Tech II and is willing to try it on a non-factory radio (if I were to take my MP3 deck in my Monte to a random dealer, odds are they would boot me out since GM states it's not an option for my car, I was very lucky to know a guy with access to the tool).

I have no interest in doing this mod, but I am VERY curious to see if it pans out or not (I think it's cool to "defeat" the factory boundaries sometimes).

 

I didn't end up doing. I ordered all the stuff for a pioneer app radio instead. The avalanche stereo was going to cost more money and time than what it was worth.